Summary
Outdoor Ambition offer an inclusive, caring and friendly organisation with a dedicated and motivated team who are passionate about delivering excellent and engaging opportunities for all the students they work with.
Wage
£17,667 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)
Hours
45 Hours. Normal hours of work are 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, however these hours can be variable.
45 hours a week
Start date
Monday 28 April 2025
Duration
1 year
Positions available
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
Due to continued success and growth, they now have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and enthusiastic Apprentice Activity Support member to join their team (working towards the Outdoor Activity Instructor Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard) .
Are you passionate about outdoor pursuits? Looking for work in an adventurous environment where you can share your enthusiasm and skills with the young people? This apprenticeship will allow you to develop your style and confidence with the full spectrum of clients and students.
You'll support the Managing Director to ensure the smooth day to day running of the business to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the young people, staff and visitors.
Working alongside Activity Support Staff and Co-Ordinators, you'll support a range of groups. This may see you running a specific coaching or engagement session 1:1 or providing support to other staff across a range of settings.
The majority of your work will be conducted in an adventurous environment, however at times you will need to support in other environments to help the students develop. You'll need to develop your skill set and progress in multiple disciplines in the industry to get a strong knowledge of the activities. You'll also act as a role model to the students, maintaining Outdoor Ambition values and standards.
What will you need to succeed?
* Knowledge and experience of working outdoors and adventurous activities, preferably having worked with young people previously
* Experience of understanding and following guidance on policies and procedures to operate safely
* Ideally an awareness of child protection and safeguarding
* Understanding of confidentiality and willing to gain knowledge of Data Protection and information security requirements
* Able to communicate and relate well to young people and adults
* An effective team player who is also able to priortise own work and use initiative
* Good organisation and planning skills, resilient under pressure and able to meet deadlines
* IT literate with accurate data/record keeping abilities - using mobile phone, internet, email and Microsoft Office Applications such as Word, Forms, WhatsApp etc
What will you receive in return?
Outdoor Ambition recognises and values the exceptional commitment and goodwill all staff bring to the organisation and offer a generous renumeration package including additional benefits:
* Contributory Company Pension Scheme
* Fully Funded Continuing Professional Development (repayable if you leave within 6 months)
* Free car parking / cycle storage
* Generous Annual Leave entitlement
* Free Uniform
* Overtime Options
Pay rate: National Minimum Wage for Apprentices (Current rate £6.40 per hour, rising to £7.55 per hour from April 2025).
Due to the nature of the role and it’s changing schedule you must hold a driving licence and be flexible in your working hours, prepared to work additional hours when required, which could involve early mornings, evening and weekend working.
Where you’ll work
21 Lakeland Estates Business Park, Faverdale North
Darlington
DL3 0PX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
SKERN LODGE LIMITED
Your training course
Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
* Find information on: the activity type and timings; outcome requirements; participant age; medical information; equipment and resourcing allocation; venue; weather conditions.
* Prepare sessions to achieve the required outcomesg. enjoyment, thrill seeking, personal or team challenges, acquisition of new knowledge or skills.
* Select methods to meet all participant needs g. visual impairment, mental and physical ability.
* Select methods to respond to potential changes in the environmentg. wind increasing in a sailing session or rain making conditions slippery underfoot.
* Collect appropriate equipment and resources.
* Ensure the venue is set-up and ready to be used.
* Maintain self and group safety when delivering the session.
* Deliver an effective session briefing with clear instruction and following organisational procedures.
* Perform a competent demonstration of the skills required for the activity or subject at the appropriate level for the session.
* Provide on-going instruction to encourage learning and progression.
* Follow organisational operating procedures to adapt to changes in the environment. E.g. thunderstorm, a wind shift to offshore in a surfing session.
* Select and implement organisational procedures to deal with routine problems.g. broken equipment.
* Provide basic First Aid to respond to accidents in a safe, prompt and effective manner. e.g. injured participant.
* Initiate organisational procedures to summon support in the case of incidents or accidents.
* Use the organisations set approaches for learning delivery.
* Support individual and group engagement and participation in the session g. energisers, sharing responsibilities, appropriate pace.
* Change the pace of the session to match participants’ speed of learning.
* Identify and support the individual participants’ needs g. give personal attention, active listening, allow additional time, encouragement.
* Apply simple techniques to deal with conflict and challenging behaviour g. redirection, increasing responsibility.
* Use simple review techniques to check the achievement of required outcomes e.g. thumbs up; rounds; memorable moments.
* Signpost participants to progression routes.
* Complete a session within time, including the restoration of the venue, return of equipment and resources and any logging or recording requirements.
* Use participant feedback and own reflection to suggest improvements to sessions.
* Communicate with customers and colleagues in a clear, concise and effective manner.
* Handle information in a way that conforms to policy and protects data.
* Assist with the development and preparation of resources and support colleagues delivering sessions
* Actively encourage whole group participation and promote equality and diversity.
* Undertake activities to further develop knowledge and personal skills.
* Reflect on own performance and make refinements.
Your training plan
1-2-1 teaching and observations; A training specialist will coach, teach, and support the apprentice at the centre on a one to one basis, visiting at regular and agreed intervals.
Face to face teaching as a group; Block delivery throughout the year with other apprentices in the area. The teaching location will be at a central point to those on the apprenticeship in the area Tutorials;
Apprentices will be offered regular 1-2-1 tutorial time remotely with their specialist trainer.
E-learning; We provide an e-learning platform with work and activities for apprentices to complete.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
* English and Maths (grade 4)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Patience
* Physical fitness
* IT skills
Other requirements
Normal hours of work are 45 hours per week, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. These hours are variable and you may be required to work additional hours. Candidates must be able to work in locations across the North East of England. Currently the Centres are in Darlington and Newburn. Driving is an essential requirement.